Turning bone tumor-supporting immune cells into cancer-fighting cells for breast cancer that has spread to bone
Official title: Reprogramming tumor associated macrophages to induce anti-tumor immune responses in bone metastatic breast cancer.
Funded at Veterans Health Administration · NIH-11131023 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work aims to change immune cells that help tumors in bone into cells that fight cancer for people with breast cancer that has spread to bone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Health Administration NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2013 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX001957-12 |
| Project ID | NIH-11131023 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with breast cancer that has metastasized to bone, especially those with visible bone lesions or symptoms related to bone metastases.
✕Less likely to help
People with early-stage breast cancer without bone involvement or with other cancer types not driven by the same pathways are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
What this research studies
Bone metastases from breast cancer often cause pain, fractures, and worse outcomes because tumors disrupt normal bone cells. Researchers found that a tumor protein called Gli2 drives signals that both destroy bone and may expand tumor-helping immune cells called tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). The team plans to block Gli2-driven signals and reprogram those macrophages so they support anti-tumor immunity, using laboratory models and patient-derived samples to test effects on tumor growth and bone damage. If successful, the approach aims to lower bone destruction and make the immune system better at controlling tumors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could reduce tumor-driven bone destruction, pain, and tumor growth by shifting immune cells in the bone to fight cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Laboratory and animal studies reprogramming tumor-associated macrophages have shown promise, but clinical success in humans remains limited so far.
Where this research is happening
-
Veterans Health Administration
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rhoades (Sterling), Julie a — Veterans Health Administration
- Study coordinator: Rhoades (Sterling), Julie a
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.